Jordan firmly stands by Iraq PM

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Monday stressed that Jordan stands by Iraq and all sections of its society, "regardless of its governments."
Ensour made the remarks as he received Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim Al-Jubouri and his accompanying delegation, currently visiting the Kingdom.
During the meeting, which was attended by a number of ministers and officials and discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in all fields, the prime minister reaffirmed that Jordan does not at all interfere in Iraq's affairs and conducts itself "only in a way that serves it and its brotherly people."
Ensour said that he is confident that the ordeal Iraq is going through will end. "This bloody crime carried out by the forces of darkness and evil is coming to an end," he added.
He also said that the fact that Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had chosen Jordan as the first Arab country to visit after assuming office, coupled with the current visit of Al-Jubouri, represent the great convergence between the two countries, pointing out that he intends to visit Iraq in the near future as part of the meetings of the Jordan Iraq joint higher committee.
The premier pointed to the importance of major projects that have been agreed upon between the two countries, particularly the oil pipeline extension project as a result of which Aqaba would become a strategic port for Iraqi oil exports and import of Iraqi commodities; the railway project which could be linked with the Gulf railway project up to Europe in future; and the land route between Jordan and Iraq.
Al-Jubouri said he appreciated Jordan's stances, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in support of Iraq, stressing that Jordan supported his country ""in the darkest phase of the country's contemporary history." "Its stance is much appreciated by Iraq's leadership, government and people," he affirmed.
He noted that Iraq is going through difficult and exceptional circumstances, which had left large number of people displaced inside and outside Iraq, and praised Jordan's role in hosting members of the Iraqi community and providing them assistance.